I really enjoy tofu and having recently discovered Tofoo Smoked I’m coming up with as many ways I can serve this as possible.
On a warm and sunny Sunday my favourite way to tuck into smoked Tofoo is with a classic salad.
I’ve cooked the tofu with avocado fry-light and grilled for 20 minutes. Served with layered cucumber, tomato and avocado and topped with balsamic this is a beautiful and tasty salad. The tofoo provides essential proteins which are ideal for vegan diets.
During hot weather I find myself eating a lot a salad. Many folks find salad quite full but I love different vegetables and flavour combinations. This warm salad is a perfect evening meal on a warm summer evening.
Ingredients
Baby cabbage
Pak choi
Orange and yellow peppers
Sugar snap peas
Broccoli
Lemongrass
Lemon
Garlic
Ginger
Coriander
Gluten free tamari sauce
Coconut oil
Start by preparing the flavours, I use a garlic mincer to prepare garlic and lemongrass and I grate ginger and chop the coriander finely.
Nextheat a little coconut oil in a wok and add the sliced peppers and broccoli once warmed to temperature. Once the vegetables are in I add the herbs and spices so they can absorb into the vegetables during cooking. Stir fry for 5 minutes before adding the sugar snap peas and continuing to stir fry for a further 5 minutes. You can increase the cooking time but I like my veg pretty crunchy.
Whilst the veggies are cooking I lightly steam the cabbage and Pak choi to make a leafy base.
Serve with a slice of lemon and a drizzle of gluten free tamari for a zingy finish. This is a wonderful salad full of flavour and far from boring. Ideal for vegans, veggies, coeliacs and everyone else besides!
Although I have a very restricted diet due to coeliac disease, allergies and veganism I always wonder why people think I can’t get variety in my food. I love trying new things and thanks to travel, the internet and of course immigration we have so many different cuisines available in the UK.
Today I have used Vietnamese roll rice papers to create beautiful gluten free, vegan rolls using crunchy fruit and vegetables. I found the rice paper rolls in the world food section, the ones I am using are produced and exported from Vietnam but looking online I see the Blue Dragon brand are gluten free and widely available.
They may look like a fancy or time consuming meal but really this is so simple. Start by prepping the vegetables and chopping into baton shapes. I used 2 large carrots, a large avocado, half a mango and half a cucumber in mine and this made 10 super filling rolls.
Then fill a large mixing bowl with warm water. Take one of the dried rice paper sheets and soak it in the warm water for 15 – 20 seconds. It’s important the sheet is submerged or only one side will start to dissolve. The rice paper should become really pliable and flexible once it’s been held in the water.
Spread it out on a dry surface and the. Stack your choice of raw vegetables into the middle of the roll in a rectangular shape. Now comes the folding! I’ve found that it’s best if you fold in the edges that would be the short sides of the rectangle first and really press them down tightly to the vegetables. Then fold in over the paper left on the longer sides and wrap them around.
Repeat these steps as many times as you need to for the perfect number of rolls.
Served with a little sweet chilli sauce or gluten free tamari for dipping these are a healthy, easy treat to help you increase your raw veg intake. So tasty!
I’m enjoying a holiday in Nova Scotia. I’m travelling to a few different places in the province and have already found quite a few nice gluten free and vegan foods and meals. One of my favourite meals was lunch at Heartwood by the Sea in downtown Halifax.
There are two Heartwood restaurants in Halifax which serve a selection of vegan and vegetarian foods including a number of gluten free options. I’m going to check out the restaurants on Quinpool road and Göttingen whilst I am here but today I enjoyed lunch at the pop up on the waterfront.
The menu is fairly extensive and includes vegan bowls as well as baked goods like cookies and energy bars.
I discovered veganism after diagnosis I was lactose intolerant. I found it easy to embrace as a vegetarian and having a coeliac disease too but sometimes it can feel frustrating looking for places I can eat safely.
I explained my dietary requirements including my nut allergy and was recommended to try the rainbow bowl. The rainbow bowl has brown rice, steamed green vegetables, roasted sweet potato and beetroots and tofu. All served up with a choice of sauce. As I’m allergic to nuts I went for the spicy tomato sauce. The food was delicious and suited my allergies and requirements perfectly.
Also impressive was the commitment to environmental responsibility. With biodegradable straws, bowls and cutlery as well as organic ingredients Heartwood by the Sea definitely won me over. And the little birds enjoyed the leftover rice too.
Plant based choices are really taking off and I’m delighted to be finding vegan and coeliac friendly foods in places I wouldn’t usually look for them.
Following a lead from a vegan friend I recently got myself to IKEA to sample their veggie take on the iconic Swedish meatballs.
I have not been dissaoppointed. In the food section before the exit (several packs of candles and mini cacti after I arrived) I found the frozen veggie balls called Allemansrätten. You can buy a quite frankly huge bag for only £3.95 so it’s very affordable.
Also very easy, they cook from frozen and take less than 20 minutes. I’ve cooked these tasty gluten free goodies with kale, spinach garlic and green beans and served with hearty brown rice for a summery and delicious evening meal.
Happy IKEA-ing to all!
Tofu is such a perfect food. Loved by vegans it brings protein and nutrients as well as a tasty staple and focus of a meal.
This meal is so easy cook. Start by marinating sliced aubergine and tofu in tamari sauce. I’m using the Kikkoman gluten free tamari.
Then heat a large griddle pan. To reduce fat I use Fry Light Coconut spray rather than a full oil. Cook chopped tofu and aubergine on the hot griddle turning half way through. It will only take a few minutes to cook the tofu and aubergine.
Just before cooking is completed add chopped spring onions to fry lightly.
Serve with steamed mange tout for a tasty vegan treat.
An excellent and tasty vegan and gluten free meal packed with tasty and complementary flavours; this is a true treat.
As a vegan coeliac I often do a weekend batch cook to keep me in lunches and ready to go meals. Today I’m cooking up some healthy meals ready for the week.
I’m starting by roasting a large butternut squash. Skin and chop, add to a roasting pan with sage and a little olive oil. Roast for approximately 45 – 60 minutes.
Whilst the butternut squash is roasting it’s time to cook the pasta. As a coeliac is use gluten free pasta. I like the fusili pasta made from maize flour but it is key to have the water boiling before you add the pasta – as well as throughout. Follow instructions as cooking varies dependant on the flour used to form the pasta.
Once the squash is roasted mix with spinach whilst warm until wilted.
Serve the spinach, squash and pasta with vegan feta and cracked black pepper.
Delicious.
This dish has been reimagined hundreds of times. I can see why. It is tasty, nutritional and warming in the cold weather. My gluten free, vegan interpretation has made me look forward to dinner time already.
Aubergine is key to any moussaka dish. Start by chopping 2 aubergines into slices approximately 1cm thick and cooking the slices on a griddle. I use a little Fry light olive oil, sea salt and chopped coriander to season the aubergine whilst it cooks.
I am going to substitute potato with sweet potato! Lower on carbohydrates and much higher in vitamins and fibre I really enjoy sweet potato and this moussaka is no exception. Peel and then slice 2 sweet potatoes similarly to the aubergine. Place in a saucepan, cover with water and then bring to the boil before simmering for 20 minutes. When the sweet potato slices are soft enough you could break them apart but firm enough to retain their shape you are all set.
Drain and leave to cool with the aubergine slices.
When cooled the fun begins – with layering. In addition to your sliced aubergine and sweet potato you will need tinned chopped tomatoes, chopped garlic and vegan cheese.
Start by pressing a layer of the griddled aubergine at the bottom of a baking dish. Cover with chopped tomatoes, then add chopped garlic followed by a layer of sweet potato and a topping of vegan cheese. I repeat this 3 times and then bake for approximately 30 minutes.
My moussaka is ideal winter comfort food. High in vitamins, vegan and gluten free. This makes a tasty meal anytime.
I love kale and was delighted to discover kalettes whilst shopping. Kalettes are a hybrid of kale and sprouts. They are high in vitamins C and K. In addition like all cruciferous vegetables they have high levels of folic acid and fibre. Perfect for a healthy diet.
Start this recipe with a roasting pan and a warm oven. Add 2 chopped red peppers and a chopped courgette to the roasting dish and spray with cooking oil. I’ve used Fry light sunflower as it reduces the fat content in the dish. Stir through paprika and cayenne pepper and pop into the oven to roast for about 45 minutes.
Whilst the vegetables roast chop white onion, and garlic and prepare stock. I’m a coeliac so I find Kallo reduced salt vegetable stock cubes are an ideal stock cheat as they are gluten free and vegan. At only 6 calories as well they are perfect for a healthy meal.
When the vegetables have roasted combine in a saucepan with the garlic, onion and kalettes. Cover with stock and bring to the boil.
Once the soup mix is boiling turn the heat down and simmer for about 30 mins. It is so hard to wait for this soup to cook because it smells beautiful. Use a hand blender to whizz the soup up and stir. My husband has topped his with a little parmesan but I don’t need it so I’m happy as it it. The paprika, cayenne pepper and garlic are so light it makes for a perfect lunch.
I’m working on increasing my protein as I’m stepping up some exercise. As a vegan I am constantly asked how I get any protein at all. One of the answers to this is quinoa which is a complete protein with all the amino acids you need.
This quinoa based dish is easy to make and perfect for packed lunches.
Start with a large roasting pan and preheat the oven. I’m using chopped courgette, red pepper, yellow pepper and carrots.
Add to the roasting dish. Instead of drizzling with oil I’m using Fry Light sunflower and squirt the vegetables with a few sprays. Roast for 45 minutes. It’s time to add the chickpeas! Drained chickpeas and cherry tomatoes will bring different textures and more protein to the roasted vegetables. Sprinkle the vegetables with a generous dash of cayenne pepper for a spicy flavour and then continue to roast for another hour. At the same time cook quinoa.
When both are cooked drain the quinoa and stir through the vegetables evenly. Tasty hot or cold it makes and ideal lunch or evening meal.
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